EMS Employment Information

Applicants must submit a Job Application
to the county's Human Resources department when the desired position is
advertised. For more information, or to be notified of the next
EMT/Paramedic posting, please fill out the contact form below, or call
the EMS offices at (843) 202-6700.

The information listed below may be helpful to prospective Charleston County EMS employees.

Please refer to the job description and requirements section on the Human Resources job announcement page for the specific requirements of any position that you are interested in applying.

Job Requirements

To qualify for these positions, candidates must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent along with the following certifications and licensure:

National Registry EMT, AEMT or Paramedic Certification

Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers

Valid driver's license from any state

Paramedic candidates must also have current ACLS certification. Advanced pediatric (PALS, PEPP, EPC) and trauma (ITLS, PHTLS) certifications are also preferred for paramedic candidates.

The selected candidate must have a valid South Carolina driver's license within 30 days of hire. The following training is required within 3 months of employment: ICS 100, 200, 700, & 800.

Candidates must provide copies of documentation verifying their eligibility credentials with the completed application to include:

EMS certifications

Education diploma/degree

Criminal records check

Current certified 10 year driving record

In addition to the above, candidates must also be able to: drive an emergency vehicle, have excellent communications skills (in person, over the radio/telephone, and written), work a variety of shifts, perform a wide variety of duties with accuracy and speed under pressure, provide basic/advanced life support patient care, follow safety protocols, read maps and find locations within the County, perform calmly in emergency situations, and other EMT/Paramedic related duties.

Knowledge must include, but is not limited to: laws and regulations of US DOT, FCC, DEA and SCDHEC in regard to the practice of emergency medical services, County and EMS policies and procedures, Charleston County geography, vehicle extrication and rescue principles, patient stabilization, medical terminology, and defensive driving techniques. The EMT/Paramedic is responsible for providing basic/advanced life support patient care, communicating appropriately, ensuring the readiness of vehicles and equipment, maintaining uniforms and stations, attending training, and following safety guidelines and medical protocols.

Hiring Schedule & Applicant Selection

The goal of our hiring process is to give all applicants an equal opportunity at employment, while selecting the most qualified candidates. Applications are received by the Charleston County Human Resources department and released periodically to our department.

Full-time paramedic positions will be posted on a continuous basis. EMT/AEMT and Temporary Part-Time positions will be posted on an as-needed basis. All positions will follow the same schedule, if posted:

2019 Hiring Session 1

Online Applications Open

Early December 2018*

Online Applications Close

February 1, 2019

Interview dates for selected candidates

January 28 – February 12, 2019

Job Offers Made

by February 15, 2019

Start date for selected candidates (first paid day)

March 15, 2019

2019 Hiring Session 2

Online Applications Open

February 16, 2019*

Online Applications Close

April 12, 2019

Interview dates for selected candidates

May 3 - May 7, 2019

Job Offers Made

by May 10, 2019

Start date for selected candidates (first paid day)

June 7, 2019

2019 Hiring Session 3

Online Applications Open

April 13, 2019*

Online Applications Close

June 7, 2019

Interview dates for selected candidates

June 7 – June 17, 2019

Job Offers Made

by June 21, 2019

Start date for selected candidates (first paid day)

July 19, 2019

2019 Hiring Session 4

Online Applications Open

June 8, 2019*

Online Applications Close

August 23, 2019

Interview dates for selected candidates

August 28 – September 10, 2019

Job Offers Made

by September 13, 2019

Start date for selected candidates (first paid day)

October 11, 2019

2019 Hiring Session 5

Online Applications Open

August 24, 2019

Online Applications Close

TBD

Interview dates for selected candidates

TBD

Job Offers Made

TBD

Start date for selected candidates (first paid day)

January 2020

* Online application open date for full-time Paramedic. EMT/AEMT and Temporary may vary.

Once a complete application is received, qualified applicants should expect a follow-up within two weeks to discuss the hiring process and to schedule an interview. The general steps in the hiring process are:

Online Application Submitted

Hiring Assessment

Written Test (75-100 questions)

Patient Care Simulation

Behavioral Interview

New Hire Academy

The written test and patient care simulation are graded based on national standard curricula. Applicants who do not achieve a passing score on the written test, or receive a score of
"Inadequate" on the scenario, will not be considered for employment.

Out of town applicants may request remote testing and a video interview. However, travel to Charleston may still be required prior to a job offer being made to complete additional screenings or simulation assessments.

Those who do not meet the minimum qualifications or are eliminated during the testing and interview process may reapply for the next hiring session. No candidate will be permitted to test more than once per interview cycle.

New Hire Orientation

The first month of employment consists of a formal orientation program. This program includes formal classes in ambulance driving, county geographic and hospital familiarization, departmental operations and logistics, blood borne and airborne pathogens, hazardous materials operations, communications and supply, as well as time spent riding as third crew on a medic unit.

Shift and unit assignments are made primarily on the basis of system needs, although every effort is made to accommodate individual needs and desires.

Promotions

Promotions in our department are based on a competitive process consisting of written and oral board tests relating to knowledge of emergency medicine, knowledge of policies and procedures, and ability to think creatively to solve field problems.